Question

Jane has had persistent anxiety for at least 6 months, but she is unable to identify a specific reason for the anxiety. Jane likely has:

A) Generalized anxiety disorder
B) Panic disorder
C) Phobic disorder
D) PTSD

Answer 1

Jane most likely has Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) because she experiences long-term, nonspecific anxiety. GAD involves persistent worry without a singular cause, unlike PTSD which is a reaction to trauma, or Panic and Phobic Disorders, which have clearer triggers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane likely has Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life without a specific reason, lasting for at least 6 months. GAD is different from other anxiety disorders such as Panic Disorder, where panic attacks occur unexpectedly, or Phobic Disorder, which is associated with a specific fear or object. Unlike Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where symptoms follow a traumatic event, GAD involves a more generalized, diffuse state of worry.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Institute of America, almost 18 percent of U.S. adults are likely to experience an anxiety disorder within a single year, making it important to distinguish between occasional anxiety and a more severe anxiety disorder. Cognitive theories surrounding GAD suggest that individuals with the disorder often exhibit exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.